Former President Donald Trump has dropped the names of several contenders for vice president and future cabinet members.
Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo that aired on 'Sunday Morning Futures' on February 4.
Trump is seen by many commentators as all but the presumptive Republican nominee, with consecutive landslide victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, where he won by double-digit margins in each contest.
Bartiromo asked Trump when he would announce his running mate for his third White House bid. Trump responded that they have many great people in the Republican Party, but not for a while.
"What criteria are you using to identify who your running mate is?" Bartiromo asked. The key consideration, Trump answered, is "who would be a good president?"
Trump was asked about his vice presidential pick in 2024. He listed several candidates for the No. 2 position in the federal government, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Gov. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, who have long been seen as top choices.
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) were mentioned, which are frequently brought up. But Trump also brought up Scott and Noem during the interview.
Last year, Scott launched a presidential campaign but dropped out after failing to gain traction in the polls. He later supported Trump. He also mentioned Noem directly and said she has been fighting incredibly hard for him.
During the interview, Trump discussed the possibility of a future cabinet and who might be involved. He claimed that some of these would be returning faces.
He was asked about the prospect of former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo making a return, but he responded, "I don't know." He was also asked about former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, who he praised as "fantastic."
Furthermore, he said that Ratcliffe "has done a great job."
According to Trump, the former head of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Ben Carson, also did a great job. Jerome Powell, the Federal Reserve chairman, also hinted that he would not return if Trump were reelected.
Trump Denies RFK Jr. Speculations
Trump strongly denied claims that he had thought of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his running mate.
Kennedy, the son of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, is organizing an Independent presidential campaign. Kennedy ran an anti-establishment campaign like Trump, criticizing the existing bureaucracy and claiming himself to be the target of oppositional state actors.
The prospect of the two men working together has long been considered in politics because of the similar themes and messaging they used throughout their campaigns.
However, the two men denied the speculation, claiming they have too many differences to create a ticket.
Bartiromo brought up rumors that Trump's campaign had contacted Kennedy about splitting a ticket during her conversation with Trump.
Trump has called the rumors "a false story." However, he said, "I like [Mr. Kennedy] a lot."
